10 killed in Mali tribal clashes

At least 10 people were killed in northern Mali in revenge killings over the murder of a tribal elder.

According to media reports, a series of clashes took place between members of the Tuareg people.

“I made calls to some community leaders so we can have some calm… more than 10 people were killed,” Mohamed Ag Bayes, a local official said.

Some of the Tuaregs have led uprisings against Mali’s government for decades while others have recently forged alliances with jihadist groups.

Tuareg-led rebels allied with Al-Qaeda-linked groups briefly took control of vast stretches of Mali’s north in 2012, before being routed by French troops the following year.

Their influence on Tuareg communities is still a concern as the government attempts to enact a peace agreement signed by the former rebels and rival pro-government armed groups.